About the item: An authentic, large folio format (FOLIO) late 18th-century geographical map "Royaume de Pologne" (Kingdom of Poland) – a significant monument of European cartography and history, published as a copper engraving in 1787 in Paris by the renowned French scientists Rigobert Bonne and Nicolas Desmarest. The work was included in their famous encyclopedic publication "Atlas Encyclopédique, containing la géographie ancienne...". The map is characterized by exceptional geographical detail for its time, later hand coloring (Later hand colour), and completely uncut, wide original margins. The item is presented in excellent, collectible condition.
Technical information:
Height: 31 cm Width: 42 cm (Overall dimensions including margins) Origin: Paris, France Era: 1400–1900 Period: 1781–1800 (Precisely dated to 1787) Authors and publishers: Desmarest & Bonne Technique: Copper engraving on thick paper, later hand-colored Condition: Rated as Excellent – the paper is sturdy, clean, retaining its primary stability and uncut wide margins
Artistic and structural analysis: This map reflects the cartographic tradition of the French Enlightenment, combining aesthetics with strict mathematical and astronomical accuracy. Integrated into the upper left corner is a concise, elegant classical-style cartouche containing the title of the work, the publishers' names, and a reference to the Royal Academy of Sciences. The map number is engraved in the upper right corner (Liv. LXV. No. 34). Later watercoloring in soft yellow, pink, and green tones visually highlights and separates the state's voivodeships and the territories of neighboring empires. Fine engraving lines precisely capture the river networks (Vistula, Nemunas, Dnieper), forest massifs, relief, and the dense layout of city and town toponyms.
Historical and geographical context: This edition captures a particularly dramatic and geopolitically sensitive period in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania). The map was published in 1787 – after the First Partition of the Commonwealth (1772) but before the Second and Third Partitions; thus, the contemporary borders of the state are clearly visible, encompassing the most important cultural and political centers: Vilnius (Wilna), Warsaw (Varsovie), Kraków (Cracovie), as well as Grodno, Minsk, and the Podlachia lands. With this work, the Royal Hydrographer Rigobert Bonne (1727–1794) and the pioneer of physical geography Nicolas Desmarest (1725–1815) created one of the most accurate geographical sources of Eastern Europe at the time for the French scientific elite.
Collectible and investment value: The value of this map in the antiques market is guaranteed by its significant historical weight and excellent physical preservation – copies that have retained full, original factory margins and lack deep paper damage or tears are highly prized by collectors. Since it records the territory of Lithuania and Poland in detail before the final erasure of the state from the map of Europe, this work is in continuous demand for regional history collections. The stable paper structure and expressive colorful image ensure long-term investment potential.
